On the morning of October 31, 2014, a bus transporting 57 Jehovah’s Witnesses, who had volunteered to provide Bible education in Las Flores Lempira, crashed en route from San Carlos Choloma. The accident resulted in the death of the commercial bus driver and thirteen Witness passengers, which included two fourteen-year-old girls and an eight-year-old girl. The 44 surviving Witnesses were taken to the hospital for examination. Only two required extensive medical care but have since been released. Fellow worshippers are providing comfort and practical assistance. On November 1, 2014, the first funeral was held in Choloma for nine of the victims who died in the crash. Some 3,000 people attended.

José Castillo, a spokesman for Jehovah’s Witnesses in Honduras, stated: “We appreciate the outpouring of support from the community and the various agencies that have come to the aid of those affected by this tragedy.”

Media Contact(s):

International: J. R. Brown, Office of Public Information, tel. +1 718 560 5000

Honduras: José Castillo Adriano, tel. +504 9998 0895

Mexico: Gamaliel Camarillo, tel. +52 555 133 3048